Growth potential

Public input needed on Lafayette Center

Sometimes there's nothing more powerful than to see residents turn out in large numbers to show support for a service that's being targeted by elected officials looking to reduce budget expenses.

We see it repeatedly as city and county commissioners make tough decisions on providing essential services from an ever shrinking pot of money without putting more pressure on taxpayers.

A perfect example of that occurred during recent city of Tallahassee budget talks where the subject of closing the Lafayette Arts & Crafts Center was proposed for discussion. The historic center has been a fixture in the city's Lafayette Park neighborhood for decades. Its arts and crafts classes and associated activities have been shared for generations.

But although participation has increased in recent years, the center continued to face a deficit. That meant more money from the city to subsidize its operations. In tight times, elected officials are charged with making tough decisions.

But an overwhelming show of support by parents, children and neighbors helped to convince commissioners to take note of the interest, resulting in their commendable decision to provide full funding for the center in its final budget.

What was important in that decision was a pledge by supporters to understand that governments work best with partnerships with those benefiting from the services.

To that extent, adamant supporters agreed to do their part by helping to attract more people to take advantage of the center's offerings and to help promote its activities.

That momentum can't be diminished. That's why it's important for residents who care about the center and its future to attend a community outreach meeting today at the center beginning at 6:30 p.m. The center is located at 501 Ingleside Ave.

City staff will be attending but the purpose of the meeting is to give residents a chance to learn about the value of the center and what it offers this community. More importantly, it presents an opportunity for new ideas to be suggested that could enhance the center's established arts and crafts classes and offerings.

"We want to take one of our signature programs and make it better," said Ashley Edwards, assistant director for the city's Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs department. "We want to capitalize on the overwhelming support the community showed for the facility."

The city of Tallahassee has done its part in finding money to keep the center afloat. Now it's up to residents to keep convincing commissioners that it was the right idea.

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Growth potential

Sometimes there's nothing more powerful than to see residents turn out in large numbers to show support for a service that's being targeted by elected officials looking to reduce budget expenses.